An entry lock on a French door is stuck. The knobs won't turn the cylinderto retract the latch.

I removed the handles, can't budge the cylinder; i.e, get it to retract.

I pulled the hinge pins hoping I could remove the door; can't, not enoughplay between the latch and keeper to swing or push the hinge side of thedoor off the hinge knuckles.

If I could swing both the active door - the one with the latch - and thepassive door at the same time, that might work but I can't because thepassive door has side bolts at top and bottom of the inside edge and theonly way to get at them is when the active door is open.

If I cut off the portion of the cylinder that is visible after removing theknobs, I still couldn't open it because the remaining portion is stillscrewed to the edge of the door.

Anyone have any ideas how to get the cylinder out or open the door? Beatingthe door to a pulp is not an option :)

Post by dadiOHAn entry lock on a French door is stuck. The knobs won't turn the cylinderto retract the latch.I removed the handles, can't budge the cylinder; i.e, get it to retract.I pulled the hinge pins hoping I could remove the door; can't, not enoughplay between the latch and keeper to swing or push the hinge side of thedoor off the hinge knuckles.If I could swing both the active door - the one with the latch - and thepassive door at the same time, that might work but I can't because thepassive door has side bolts at top and bottom of the inside edge and theonly way to get at them is when the active door is open.If I cut off the portion of the cylinder that is visible after removing theknobs, I still couldn't open it because the remaining portion is stillscrewed to the edge of the door.Anyone have any ideas how to get the cylinder out or open the door? Beatingthe door to a pulp is not an option :)Thanks...

Any chance you can post a link to the lock model, showing an explodedview? Showing the parts.

Post by dadiOHAn entry lock on a French door is stuck. The knobs won't turn the cylinderto retract the latch.I removed the handles, can't budge the cylinder; i.e, get it to retract.Anyone have any ideas how to get the cylinder out or open the door? Beatingthe door to a pulp is not an option :)Thanks...

Yes, Chris Young, but he passed a few month back. Your post is areminder of his as he did locksmithing.

Post by dadiOHAn entry lock on a French door is stuck. The knobs won't turn the cylinderto retract the latch.I removed the handles, can't budge the cylinder; i.e, get it to retract.I pulled the hinge pins hoping I could remove the door; can't, not enoughplay between the latch and keeper to swing or push the hinge side of thedoor off the hinge knuckles.If I could swing both the active door - the one with the latch - and thepassive door at the same time, that might work but I can't because thepassive door has side bolts at top and bottom of the inside edge and theonly way to get at them is when the active door is open.If I cut off the portion of the cylinder that is visible after removing theknobs, I still couldn't open it because the remaining portion is stillscrewed to the edge of the door.Anyone have any ideas how to get the cylinder out or open the door? Beatingthe door to a pulp is not an option :)Thanks...

First I'd just give the door a firm whack near the center hinge, itreally should dislodge even if a tight fit.

otherwide:

You should be able to get a sawzall blade between the doors and cut thelatchbolt (springbolt)

Post by dadiOHAn entry lock on a French door is stuck. The knobs won't turn the cylinderto retract the latch.I removed the handles, can't budge the cylinder; i.e, get it to retract.I pulled the hinge pins hoping I could remove the door; can't, not enoughplay between the latch and keeper to swing or push the hinge side of thedoor off the hinge knuckles.If I could swing both the active door - the one with the latch - and thepassive door at the same time, that might work but I can't because thepassive door has side bolts at top and bottom of the inside edge and theonly way to get at them is when the active door is open.If I cut off the portion of the cylinder that is visible after removing theknobs, I still couldn't open it because the remaining portion is stillscrewed to the edge of the door.Anyone have any ideas how to get the cylinder out or open the door?Beatingthe door to a pulp is not an option :)Thanks...

First I'd just give the door a firm whack near the center hinge, it reallyshould dislodge even if a tight fit.You should be able to get a sawzall blade between the doors and cut thelatchbolt (springbolt)

I'm thinking you are right, about the only way is to cut it off.

A sawzall would do it but it would also screw up the stop on the inside ofthe passive door unless I could keep the blade close to vertical. A littledetail tool could do it but my experience with those is that the blades lastfor about 3 nails. I'm going to use an angle grinder with a cutoff blade,there is enough space between the doors so it should do the job with aminimum of damage except maybe/probably to the strike plate. I probablyhave more of those and if not, they are cheap.

Post by philoshould dislodge even if a tight fit.You should be able to get a sawzall blade between the doors and cut thelatchbolt (springbolt)

I'm thinking you are right, about the only way is to cut it off.A sawzall would do it but it would also screw up the stop on the inside ofthe passive door unless I could keep the blade close to vertical. A littledetail tool could do it but my experience with those is that the blades lastfor about 3 nails. I'm going to use an angle grinder with a cutoff blade,there is enough space between the doors so it should do the job with aminimum of damage except maybe/probably to the strike plate. I probablyhave more of those and if not, they are cheap.A big mahalo (thanks) to you and to all who replied.

ok, hope you get the door open soon, your wife is probably gettinghungry in there!

Post by dadiOHAn entry lock on a French door is stuck. The knobs won't turn the cylinderto retract the latch.I removed the handles, can't budge the cylinder; i.e, get it to retract.I pulled the hinge pins hoping I could remove the door; can't, not enoughplay between the latch and keeper to swing or push the hinge side of thedoor off the hinge knuckles.If I could swing both the active door - the one with the latch - and thepassive door at the same time, that might work but I can't because thepassive door has side bolts at top and bottom of the inside edge and theonly way to get at them is when the active door is open.If I cut off the portion of the cylinder that is visible after removing theknobs, I still couldn't open it because the remaining portion is stillscrewed to the edge of the door.Anyone have any ideas how to get the cylinder out or open the door?Beatingthe door to a pulp is not an option :)Thanks...

First I'd just give the door a firm whack near the center hinge, it reallyshould dislodge even if a tight fit.You should be able to get a sawzall blade between the doors and cut thelatchbolt (springbolt)

I'm thinking you are right, about the only way is to cut it off.A sawzall would do it but it would also screw up the stop on the inside ofthe passive door unless I could keep the blade close to vertical. A littledetail tool could do it but my experience with those is that the blades lastfor about 3 nails. I'm going to use an angle grinder with a cutoff blade,there is enough space between the doors so it should do the job with aminimum of damage except maybe/probably to the strike plate. I probablyhave more of those and if not, they are cheap.A big mahalo (thanks) to you and to all who replied.

Post by dadiOHAn entry lock on a French door is stuck. The knobs won't turn the cylinderto retract the latch.I removed the handles, can't budge the cylinder; i.e, get it to retract.I pulled the hinge pins hoping I could remove the door; can't, not enoughplay between the latch and keeper to swing or push the hinge side of thedoor off the hinge knuckles.If I could swing both the active door - the one with the latch - and thepassive door at the same time, that might work but I can't because thepassive door has side bolts at top and bottom of the inside edge and theonly way to get at them is when the active door is open.If I cut off the portion of the cylinder that is visible after removing theknobs, I still couldn't open it because the remaining portion is stillscrewed to the edge of the door.Anyone have any ideas how to get the cylinder out or open the door? Beatingthe door to a pulp is not an option :)Thanks...

Have you sprayed it with PB Blaster? Worked it with the key? Let itsoak for a day? Repeat?

Post by dadiOHAn entry lock on a French door is stuck. The knobs won't turn the cylinderto retract the latch.I removed the handles, can't budge the cylinder; i.e, get it to retract.I pulled the hinge pins hoping I could remove the door; can't, not enoughplay between the latch and keeper to swing or push the hinge side of thedoor off the hinge knuckles.If I could swing both the active door - the one with the latch - and thepassive door at the same time, that might work but I can't because thepassive door has side bolts at top and bottom of the inside edge and theonly way to get at them is when the active door is open.If I cut off the portion of the cylinder that is visible after removing theknobs, I still couldn't open it because the remaining portion is stillscrewed to the edge of the door.Anyone have any ideas how to get the cylinder out or open the door? Beatingthe door to a pulp is not an option :)Thanks...

I'm confused is the cylinder itself stuck/won't rotate or is the bolt itselfthat won't move. Have you removed all the knobs, escutcheon, etc to get tothe bolt? Usually the bolt mechanism has a slot or opening that allows thecylinder to meet inside/outside. I have stuck a screwdriver in a slot andwhacked it with a hammer to move the bolt-toward the hinges.

Post by dadiOHAn entry lock on a French door is stuck. The knobs won't turn the cylinderto retract the latch.I removed the handles, can't budge the cylinder; i.e, get it to retract.I pulled the hinge pins hoping I could remove the door; can't, not enoughplay between the latch and keeper to swing or push the hinge side of thedoor off the hinge knuckles.If I could swing both the active door - the one with the latch - and thepassive door at the same time, that might work but I can't because thepassive door has side bolts at top and bottom of the inside edge and theonly way to get at them is when the active door is open.If I cut off the portion of the cylinder that is visible after removing theknobs, I still couldn't open it because the remaining portion is stillscrewed to the edge of the door.Anyone have any ideas how to get the cylinder out or open the door? Beatingthe door to a pulp is not an option :)Thanks...

I'm confused is the cylinder itself stuck/won't rotate or is the bolt itselfthat won't move. Have you removed all the knobs, escutcheon, etc to get tothe bolt? Usually the bolt mechanism has a slot or opening that allows thecylinder to meet inside/outside. I have stuck a screwdriver in a slot andwhacked it with a hammer to move the bolt-toward the hinges.--Tekkie

Good points. Usually all that comes off from the inside and you'releft with just the latch mechanism in the door which can be movedwith a screwdriver, etc. The problem is when you can't take thestuff off because you can't get to the other side of the door.But with this door, I think he has access to both sides.

Post by dadiOHAn entry lock on a French door is stuck. The knobs won't turn the cylinderto retract the latch.I removed the handles, can't budge the cylinder; i.e, get it to retract.I pulled the hinge pins hoping I could remove the door; can't, not enoughplay between the latch and keeper to swing or push the hinge side of thedoor off the hinge knuckles.If I could swing both the active door - the one with the latch - and thepassive door at the same time, that might work but I can't because thepassive door has side bolts at top and bottom of the inside edge and theonly way to get at them is when the active door is open.If I cut off the portion of the cylinder that is visible after removing theknobs, I still couldn't open it because the remaining portion is stillscrewed to the edge of the door.Anyone have any ideas how to get the cylinder out or open the door?Beatingthe door to a pulp is not an option :)Thanks...

I'm confused is the cylinder itself stuck/won't rotate or is the bolt itselfthat won't move. Have you removed all the knobs, escutcheon, etc to get tothe bolt? Usually the bolt mechanism has a slot or opening that allows thecylinder to meet inside/outside. I have stuck a screwdriver in a slot andwhacked it with a hammer to move the bolt-toward the hinges.

I misspoke using "cylinder"' It is not the part that turms with a key otknob but that which is actuated by doing that; the bolt/latch mechanism.All is off the door, just a big hole left with the latch mechanism; I havewhacked, pushed, pulled, pried, it won't move, no idea why. Well, I CAN moveits innards a bit but doing so doesn't retract the bolt.

Post by dadiOHI misspoke using "cylinder"' It is not the part that turms with a key otknob but that which is actuated by doing that; the bolt/latch mechanism.All is off the door, just a big hole left with the latch mechanism; I havewhacked, pushed, pulled, pried, it won't move, no idea why. Well, I CAN moveits innards a bit but doing so doesn't retract the bolt.

Does the latch have something that looks like/similar to a "cam" say1/4" long? If so try flipping it to the other position.

Post by dadiOHI misspoke using "cylinder"' It is not the part that turms with a key otknob but that which is actuated by doing that; the bolt/latch mechanism.All is off the door, just a big hole left with the latch mechanism; I havewhacked, pushed, pulled, pried, it won't move, no idea why. Well, I CAN moveits innards a bit but doing so doesn't retract the bolt.

Does the latch have something that looks like/similar to a "cam" say1/4" long? If so try flipping it to the other position.

and if with the knobs off you can't manually turn the little thing that retracts the bolt,

then it seems likely that the bolt itself is somehow jammed in its slot or track.

I'm not sure how that would happen. One possibility is that the door itself has dropped or shifted and is putting sideways pressure on the bolt. If so, you might free it by shoving the door different directions.

But I think cutting the bolt through the crack between doors is going to be your most likely way to proceed. Unless this is a security hardened bolt, which seems unlikely, just grab a hacksaw blade, wrap a little duct tape for a handle, and go at it. It will be slow but with a sharp new blade you should be through in a few minutes. I would call that a two beer job, maybe 2.5.